Right angled finderscope

[meddyliol]

I am making a sun filter and to make it easier to find the sun, was thinking about covering the ends of the finderscope with Baader film. I just realised that there is a major problem with this as my finderscope is the 'straight through' type which means there is a very real danger of glancing at the sun unprotected. To this end, is it possible to convert my finderscope into a right angled one? I know some of you have suggested other ways of sun finding but this is another alternative I am pursuing.

Thanks

Brian  

[Dr_Ju_ju]

from an A4 sheet of Baader film I was able to make a 150 mm filter with enough to make a wrap around filter for my finder...

Julian

[jabeoo1]

I had no joy in converting my straight through into a right angled one.  I ended up buying a RA Finder. 

[jambouk]

Make a shield to put around your finder scope, so just the end is poking through, and no light gets around it.

[meddyliol]

Make a shield to put around your finder scope, so just the end is poking through, and no light gets around it.

That is a damn good idea. Will definitely investigate that. To buy a right angled one will cost £59, a piece of cardboard is cheaper.

Julian, when you say wrapped around, exactly what did you do? Wrap around and elastic band? or what?

Thanks for your replies

Brian  

[jambouk]

I made one with a thick bit of stuff foam; i'd build the solar film into the foam and the foam gripped the finder scope. If you are not making a filter for the finder scope, just cap it off, or take it off. You can quite easily fun the sun with just trial and error by allowing the sun to shine through the scope (without an eye piece on) and look for the prijection on the floor. Just very careful.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

A bit of solar film securely(!!) attached to the front of the finder is probably the best solution. Otherwise, remove (and possibly replace with a simple solar finder like the Sol-Searcher (brilliant and very affordable piece of Tele-Vue kit))

[Floater]

+1 for Sol Searcher but much less costly solar finders are usually on offer from Astroboot - and they work just as well as the more expensive kit.

[meddyliol]

Just ordered an ac618 Universal Solar Finder from Astroboot for £12.

[Floater]

That's the one. Works a treat - and for £12 it's a 'steal'! Stick the adhesive target on carefully and you'll 'find' it's a wee cracker ...

Happy finding.

[meddyliol]

I also bought a Skywatcher 9 x 50 Right Angled Finderscope, save getting a crick in the neck. 

Brian  

[Sirius Starwatcher]

How about buying a Solar viewing glasses £2.99 from FLO. ( and other suppliers). Cheaper than everything else. Put cap covers on the finders cope and don't use it. Less chance of going blind. Use the solar viewing glasses to align the scope. Much Safer

[meddyliol]

Just ordered some of those Solar Viewing Glasses.

[Hootsitabernacle]

or buy the sky at night mag this month and get the glasses for free!

[meddyliol]

Do you know if the Sky At Night magazine is in the shops now? Which month are the free glasses in? 

Brian

[meddyliol]

Just found out it came out on 19th February. Probably all gone by now.  

[meddyliol]

Not all gone, just bought one from local paper shop     

[Hootsitabernacle]

ideal!! got me one and some Baader solar film to make me a filter for my scope..better not be cloudy! I have taken a day off work for it!

[Dr_Ju_ju]

In answer to Meddyliol, I had a spare SW finder scope (the smaller one) and I wrapped the film over the end & taped it in place

Julian

[Dr_Ju_ju]

From the one A4 sheet of Baader film I was able to make the three filter as below, (one for SW 150p, one for SW ST80 small internal & the finder, & I still have some left over..

btw, I'm a blue meanie...

[meddyliol]

In answer to Meddyliol, I had a spare SW finder scope (the smaller one) and I wrapped the film over the end & taped it in place

Julian

I think that I will do that as well. If I have enough left I am going to wrap some around the lens hood (or make a 'proper' one) of my Nikon 55 - 300mm lens. I don't think my camera  will fit on my 'scope (too heavy) so will try hand holding it and shoot a few hundred shots. That's the plan anyway. All we need is for those white fluffy things to go away for a few hours.